Browse lesson plans

African animals in habitats

This is an inquiry-based animal study for early childhood students centered around a visit to the African Continent of the North Carolina Zoo.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Science)

By Sue McCullah.

Animal environments: Day one

Students will group animals using common characteristics. Students will develop an understanding of animal adaptations. This lesson was designed to be used with the lesson "Diamante Poetry Using Environments: Day two."

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

By Cheri Cole.

Animal slide shows!

This project is a culmination of a science unit on animals which integrates computer skills, language arts and art. After a study of animals which includes classification, basic needs of animals, animal adaptations, and animal behaviors, the students will use the computer to complete a slide show of one animal they have studied at length.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

By Margie Bartolomucci.

Animals, animals, animals

In this lesson students will learn to observe special characteristics and senses which influence the life of an animal and become aware of threats to animals and their habitats and how this affects everyone.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Science)

By Joyce Poplin.

At home in the tropical rainforest

Students will choose one rainforest animal to research using print and electronic resources. They will work cooperatively with a partner to create a PowerPoint slide with the following information: photograph of the animal, the layer of the rainforest it inhabits, the sound the animal makes, and an interesting fact about the animal.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 English Language Arts and Science)

By Sally Eller.

Bats

The students will learn that bats are nocturnal and use echolocation.

Format: lesson plan (grade K Science)

By Debbie Lanier.

Bugs, bugs, bugs

This lesson integrates writing and the study of insects by having the students create a book following the pattern of How Many Bugs in a Box? by David A. Carter.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Computer/Technology Skills, English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)

By Vicki Rivenbark.

Embryology: Hatching baby chicks

This lesson integrates science, math, communication skills, arts, and social studies through hands-on activities. Students are directly involved in hatching baby chicks.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 and 4 Science)

By Ann White.

Feathers, fins, fur, scales, and skin

Using observation, students will identify animal groups by their appearance. The students will move through animal centers looking for similarities and differences of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Science)

From dirt to dinner

This lesson serves as an introductory study of the plant world. The lesson allows students to study seeds, parts of plants, microclimates, and how to grow seeds into vegetable plants for harvest. Parents are encouraged to assist at home.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)

By Glenn Bass.

Habitat — what's that?

This lesson helps students define the word habitat and understand the basic elements that make up an animal's habitat.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Science)

By Kelly Stewart.

A home for Lars

Our lesson plan is based on the book, Ahoy There, Little Polar Bear, by Hans de Beer. We will use the book to introduce the polar bear's habitat and will elaborate on the necessary things a polar bear needs to survive in this habitat.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Visual Arts Education and Science)

How does your flower grow?

Students will develop science process skills by observing plants in various conditions and recording their observation over a period of time

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Science)

By Bobbie Toler.

Incredible insect mouths

This lesson shows children that insects have different kinds of mouths. It also notes the kinds of foods that different insects eat. It is a hands-on experiment type of lesson in which the children act as insects and use different tools for their “mouths.”

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

By Kelly Stewart.

Inquiry-based exploration of human impacts on stream ecosystems: The Mud Creek case study

This unit plan for high school earth and environmental science explores the impact of human activity on the health of streams in urban and non-urban settings. Students mimic current scientific research by measuring physical, chemical, and biological indicators of stream health.

Format: (multiple pages)

An integrated lesson comparing the butterfly and frog life cycles

Students will build on their prior knowledge about the butterfly life cycle to compare and contrast the life cycles of butterflies and frogs. Students will locate butterflies on the school grounds and create pictographs and models of fractions to explain their findings mathematically. Students will also use a variety of resources to read about and study the food, space and air needed by butterflies and frogs to grow. They will create visual and written products to demonstrate their findings.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 English Language Development, Mathematics, and Science)

By Martha Dobson and Margaret Monds.

The migration of the monarch butterfly

The students will listen to and discuss books about butterflies and the migration of monarch butterflies to Mexico in order to integrate science, social studies, and language arts.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 English Language Development, Science, and Social Studies)

By Martha H. Dobson and Margaret Monds.

Researching the North Carolina coastal plain

This lesson plan will provide students with a more in-depth knowledge of the animals, industry, and land geography of the coastal plain. Students will conduct research on the internet and in other resources to find information on the vital parts of the coastal plain. The lesson culminates with group presentations of their research and a Venn diagram developed individually comparing the outer and inner parts of the coastal plain.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 English Language Development, Science, and Social Studies)

By Ana Sanders and Heather Ennis.

The zoo is coming, the zoo is coming

The zoo is coming is a lesson that will give students an opportunity to write a letter to a fictional governor about the pros and cons of having a zoo come to their town.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Science)

By Steven Sather.

Resources on the web

Backyard Conservation

Backyard Conservation, from the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, demonstrates ways that conservation practices used on farmland can be used to conserve and improve natural resources on the land around your home and school. Topics... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service